You think you know somebody – house empty for ages, reduced price, heard they paid for it in cash.  Tanya and Pete.  Graffiti on garage door, ‘Pete’s stash’.

A rough diamond, Dad used to say, out all night, Tanya not knowing where he was, coming and going taxis all the time.  Annoying neighbours, brick wall, electric gate, flaunting money.  Nice though, kids played with mine, gave us old toys, lent us cutlery one time!  Working class background but made good.   Tanya preferred people where she used to live, down to earth.  Well off – bought a place in Thailand for their holidays, his brother there.  Pete beat up bad, in hospital, then they disappeared.  Post box sealed up, teacher came to see the kids with Christmas presents, she said Tanya knew what he was up to but turned a blind eye, good lifestyle.  It was the kids I felt sorry for.

Youngest only about 5 or 6, fancy having to up sticks in the middle of the night and leave your house, toys, clothes, books, everything.  Never even have chance to say goodbye to your friends.

And the eldest girl – fuss to get a place for her at the high school, appeal, got place, they disappear.  I remember the night Oliver was born.

Helped us out – Dad  no contact – came over – Larry to get Dad had key to house, but alarm going off Dad still asleep!.  If things different, she might have delivered the baby!  Bonfire baby, she called him.  Even now that smell of burnt fireworks, woodsmoke, makes me remember that phrase, her…..You think you know somebody, but realize you don’t.

House, house, house …

Their house for sale, her Dad cutting grass.  ..he said living in Spain…don’t believe that.  Why?  Email from a server Thailand.  Another neighbour claimed Pete offered him coke once.  Fell into place,  taxis always outside, excess of cash, graffiti about ‘stash’, Pete’s  frequent extended trips Thailand, more time there than here.  Goes to show.

We hope you like the house opposite (Descriptive writing).